From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette
A city-owned lot in Spring Garden and part of Fowler Park in Perry South became new playgrounds last week in separate, one-day building frenzies by hundreds of volunteers. Both North Side playgrounds were projects of the national nonprofit KaBOOM!, in partnership with local organizations. KaBOOM grants $10,000 for each playground toward a match by a local partner, who is responsible for bringing volunteers. Residents of these neighborhoods, plagued by vacancies, crime, blight and vandalism, say children need safe places to play but that the effort and expense may have been for short-lived gain. "It's nice they're doing this," said Don Boggs, while watching the swarm of activity during the build on Spring Garden Avenue Tuesday. He has lived in Spring Garden all of his 46 years. "But I'd be amazed if it lasts more than six months."
A city-owned lot in Spring Garden and part of Fowler Park in Perry South became new playgrounds last week in separate, one-day building frenzies by hundreds of volunteers.
Both North Side playgrounds were projects of the national nonprofit KaBOOM!, in partnership with local organizations. KaBOOM grants $10,000 for each playground toward a match by a local partner, who is responsible for bringing volunteers.
Residents of these neighborhoods, plagued by vacancies, crime, blight and vandalism, say children need safe places to play but that the effort and expense may have been for short-lived gain.
"It's nice they're doing this," said Don Boggs, while watching the swarm of activity during the build on Spring Garden Avenue Tuesday. He has lived in Spring Garden all of his 46 years. "But I'd be amazed if it lasts more than six months."
If you want to see the rest of the article, it's here.
What do you think? Are urban playgrounds doomed? What do you see in your own community?
We recently built in an unique area and we heard plenty of the negative talk. "It won't last", "I give it a year" and many other quotes that amazed me. I think the community build model brings awareness and ownership to a project that is priceless. We had kids and adults watching over playspace as we waited for our surface pour and place surface to be installed. We have seen- sorry to say- in only the month or so we have been open some major misuse and vandelism. This hasn't stopped us... it's only motivated us to protect it even more. The KaBOOM! playspace owners manuel has great ideas that I want to incorporate to keep our community playspace spirit alive. Each month we are trying to have a grade watch our the playspace and monitor maintenace and arrange a monthly playdate to clean up and have fun. We hope to soon start having a monthly event just for fun. Playground Olympics, a hula hoop contest, jump rope contest, story time are just a few great ideas in the playspace owners manuel. To continue our community spirit and give our playspace some TLC.
I do think as a society we need to slow down..hang up the cell phones and enjoy our kids. Our biggest problem at our playspace is kids are at the playspace unsupervised and many of the parents that are there are soo busy on their cell phones that they are completely unaware that their children could be doing something potential dangerous. (not only to the playspace but to harm themselves). We've tried to instill "It takes a villiage" approach to our parents (everyone needs to help and speak up when they see something that's not right- report it/call the police). Everyone has a vested interest and is connected to the project in one way or another. Our sense of ownership over the project is strong and that will help us maintain our playsace. This type of thinking and KaBOOM! will help a urban playground beat the odds.
I think it is more difficult to maintain in those areas but I also think there is no option. Kids must have proper areas to play, so I think those that support new playgrounds need to have the staying power to stick with repairs and supervising use.
Our town is increasingly becoming urban with some people moving away for "better schools" or "less crime". I'm not sure they'll find it if they always want someone else to provide it. Many in our town have a commitment and will not move and will battle the urban problems as they arise. In the end that is what really makes the difference- People committed to the place they live and unwilling to be defeated by the problems that arise.
I think if you have children who come to play and parents are doing some supervising and you've got someone picking up garbage, the playground will survive.
Some of them are very low maintenance and usually pretty vandal proof. It's when you've got someone who's intent on harm and no one of authority ever goes there, where you will end up with large problems.